If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. For everything else — a suspicion, a disclosure, a gut feeling you can’t shake — Texas law is clear: everyone is required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Here’s how, and where families get free help afterward.
How to report: call 1-800-252-5400
The Texas Abuse Hotline (run by the Department of Family and Protective Services) takes reports 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Call: 1-800-252-5400
- Online (non-urgent): txabusehotline.org
Reports can be made anonymously. Texas law protects anyone who reports in good faith from civil or criminal liability — and failing to report suspected abuse can itself be a crime.
What helps investigators most: the child’s name and location, what you saw or heard, when it happened, and names of anyone else who might know something. You don’t need proof — reasonable suspicion is enough.
ChildSafe: Bexar County’s Children’s Advocacy Center
ChildSafe is Bexar County’s only Children’s Advocacy Center. When abuse is reported, their multidisciplinary team — forensic interviewers, medical staff, therapists, and family advocates — wraps around the child and the non-offending family members in one child-friendly place, instead of making a scared kid retell their story to strangers over and over.
- Call: (210) 675-9000
- Address: 3730 IH-10 East, San Antonio, TX 78220
Children and teens ages 3–18 receive trauma-informed therapy and support services.
Most families reach ChildSafe through a referral from law enforcement or Child Protective Services after a report is made — which is why reporting first matters.
If sexual abuse happened within the last 96 hours
Call the Center for Miracles at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio: 210-704-3800. Time matters for medical care and evidence collection after sexual abuse.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453
Free, confidential, 24/7 — crisis intervention, information, and referrals in over 170 languages, by phone and text. For anyone: kids, parents, teachers, neighbors.
Free help for the non-offending parent, too
This part gets overlooked. The parent who didn’t cause the harm still needs support — and ChildSafe provides services to non-offending family members as well. FVPS (Family Violence Prevention Services) also offers counseling for children and families affected by violence: (210) 733-8810.
Warning signs of child abuse
- Unexplained injuries — bruises, burns, fractures — or injuries with explanations that don’t add up
- A child who flinches, is suddenly fearful, or regresses (bedwetting, baby talk)
- Sexualized behavior or knowledge beyond their age
- Neglect signs: consistently dirty, hungry, unsupervised, or missing school
- A child who says something happened — believe them first, ask questions later
FAQ
Can I report anonymously?
Yes. You are not required to give your name, and good-faith reporters are protected by law.
What happens after I report?
Statewide Intake reviews the report. If it meets criteria, it’s assigned to a local CPS office for investigation, prioritized by severity. You generally won’t be told the outcome, but your report starts the process.
I reported before and nothing happened. Should I report again?
Yes — if there is new information or the situation has worsened, report again. Each report is evaluated on its own.
Does reporting mean the child will be taken away?
Not necessarily. CPS’s first goal is usually to keep families together safely — removal is a last resort. Many cases end with services and safety plans, not removals.
